News

Nigeria

Relevant legislation:

Summary

Although civil society has been advocating for stronger whistleblower rights in Nigeria at least since 2001, a whistleblower protection law has yet to be passed. As a result of this inaction, protections for employees and citizens who report crime, corruption and misconduct are virtually non-existent, and the number of known whistleblower cases is low.

The only relevant provision on the books relates to public officials who make disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act.

Momentum toward improving the situation is building. The Nigerian Zero-Corruption Coalition and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center have been advocating against corruption and for stronger whistleblower protections for many years.

Additionally, the recently formed umbrella organization United Action for Change (UAC), which focuses on good governance, citizen participation and rule of law, has drafted a whistleblower bill to present to 21 of Nigeria’s 36 state Houses of Assembly. The Lagos State House has given the bill consideration. If adopted, the law would significantly improve legal protections for whistleblowers, who have suffered retaliation ranging from dismissal to murder.

Tips for Whistleblowers

Nigeria has no laws to protect employee or citizen whistleblowers from retaliation.

There are no specific compensation programs for victimized whistleblowers, nor penalties for people who retaliate against whistleblowers.

A proposed whistleblower law that includes many international standards is expected to be introduced in 21 of Nigeria’s 36 state Houses of Assembly.

Among the leading anti-corruption groups are the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center and United Action for Change..

Despite serious threats to media freedom, Nigeria has more than 100 independent news outlets and an investigative journalism center.

Laws and policies

Among the few provisions in Nigerian law loosely related to whistleblowing is one paragraph in the Freedom of Information Act of 2011.

The law requires public employees to disclose information in the public interest, including related to mismanagement, gross waste of funds, fraud, abuse of authority, and public health and safety dangers. The law includes protections for public officials and people acting on behalf of public institutions from civil or criminal proceedings if they disclose information under the law – even if the disclosure otherwise would violate the Criminal Code, Penal Code, Official Secrets Act or another law. The Freedom of Information Act does not apply to the private sector.

The Constitution grants the fundamental right to freedom of expression, though this right has yet to be embodied in a whistleblower protection law.

The UAC’s proposed whistleblower law would significantly though not comprehensively enhance the whistleblower protections. The law includes many international standards:

a wide range of misconduct that can be reported,

a range of disclosure channels including the media,

financial and other compensation for victimized whistleblowers,

civil penalties for people who retaliate against a whistleblower, and

requirement that disclosures are investigated.

Among the gaps in the bill, however, it only covers public employees and it does not protect whistleblowers before the onset of retaliation.

Weaknesses and missing standards

Nigeria lacks a designated whistleblower law that covers employees and citizens from retaliation if they report crime, corruption or public health threats. Furthermore, Nigerian law does not recognize people who make such reports as whistleblowers. Consequently there are no legal mechanisms to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.

There is no government agency that receives and investigates reports from workplace whistleblowers, lends support or legal advice to whistleblowers, or offers them protection from retaliation and adverse consequences.

How the law should be improved

As civil society organizations have long suggested, a crucial first step to improve the situation for Nigerian whistleblowers would be to pass a designated whistleblower law that meets prevailing international standards. This should go hand-in-hand with efforts to raise awareness of the law in order for potential whistleblowers to make use of it, and to ensure any new legislation and procedures are strongly enforced.

As the UAC’s proposed law only covers public employees, it should be broadened to apply to people who work at private companies.

Public interest in strengthening protections for whistleblowers in growing. In August 2016 the Institute for War and Peace Reporting organized the conference, “Whistle-blower Protection: In The Absence Of Relevant Laws In Nigeria.” It was attended by officials from the Ministry of Justice, NGOs and journalists. And, it has been reported that legal professionals in the Federal Capital Territory and Mararaba in Nasarawa State are working toward the passage of a designated whistleblower protection law.

Whistleblower cases

In September 2016 lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin was suspended from the House of Representatives for six months after exposing alleged budget padding and fraud in the legislative chamber. Jibrin said that “corrupt elements have infected the House, making the institution a hub of systemic corruption.”

In 2014 then-President Goodluck Jonathan suspended and replaced Lamido Sanusi as governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank after he exposed alleged corruption at the national petroleum company, including billions in lost or stolen funds. Sanusi is now a traditional leader, having been crowned Emir of Kano in June 2014.

Media rights and freedom

Nigeria ranks 116th out of 180 countries surveyed in Reporters Without Borders’ 2016 World Press Freedom Index. The organization said: “It is dangerous for journalists to criticize the government’s inability to contain Boko Haram, the rebel Islamist militia that has a hold on northeastern Nigeria. Both local officials and police threaten and abuse journalists, and the all-powerful regional governors are often their most determined persecutors. In a country where street violence is common and impunity reigns, the media are sometimes also the target of hostility from crowds, especially young political party supporters.”

On a positive note, Reporters Without Borders says that Nigeria has more than 100 independent media outlets.

Knowledge, support and action centers

Civil Society Network Against Corruption

This coalition of NGOs exposes corruption within government, corporations and the financial sector, utilizes the petition process to launch investigations and seek public records, and accepts petitions from the public.

United Action for Change

This umbrella organization, which promotes good governance and citizen participation, has developed and is advocating for a proposed whistleblower protection law at the state level.
Contact: Muiz A. Banire

Nigerian Investigative Reporting Project

The following standards for whistleblower laws are derived from guidelines developed by the OECD, Council of Europe, Government Accountability Project, Blueprint for Free Speech and Transparency International.

Key

1 = The standard is comprehensively or very well reflected in the laws
2 = The standard is partially reflected in the laws
3 = The standard is poorly reflected or absent from the laws

Standard

Public Sector

Private Sector

A broad range of organisations and workplaces are covered

2

3

A broad range of offenses may be reported as whistleblowing

2

3

The definition of who may qualify as a whistleblower is broad

3

3

A range of disclosure channels to report internally or to regulators is in place

3

3

People who make disclosures to external organizations, the media or the public are protected

3

3

The threshold for protection is a reasonable belief that the information disclosed is true